The Golf Ireland Pod

Meghann meets Alexandra Kearney!In the second episode of this season's pod, host Meghann Scully has a fascinating chat with Stackstown golfer Alexandra Kearney ahead of the Flogas Irish Girls' Amateur Open Championship returning to Corrstown Golf Club this weekend.In a wide-ranging conversation, Alexandra talks representing Ireland for the first time in 2025, tracking her heart rate out on course, her early days as a ballroom dancer, and future plans away from golf.

The Golf Ireland Pod is back with a new schedule, a new studio and a new host!New host Meghann Scully will be bringing The Golf Ireland Pod to your ears and eyes once a month and will be chatting to a range of different guests from every aspect of Irish golf. Kicking off the season, Meghann is joined by cousins David & Aodhagan Brady to look ahead to the Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo Golf Club. The pair have plenty of experience in the event and speak to what makes the West so special.David & Aodhagan also talk about their own golfing influences, what it was like to see Rory McIlroy in his amateur days, and they also make their picks for the Masters.

This week we are joined by Communications and Media manager of Golf Ireland, Daragh Small.Daragh joins to discuss his role at Golf Ireland and also joins to discuss his epilepsy diagnosis and how it impacts his life.Daragh is running the Dublin marathon this weekend in aid of Epilepsy Ireland.

This week we are joined by Alan Lauder who discusses ecology and how golf courses sometimes get it wrong with biodiversity. He also discusses how golf clubs, big and small, can make easy changes for success. Then Patrick, Nicola and Frances join to discuss the great work being done by the Play in Pink initiative and how important this discussion is for so many people in Ireland.

This week we are joined by avid golfer and Samaritans volunteer, Rory Fitzgerald to discuss Golf Irelands partnership with Samaritans and the amazing work they do. Then Jim Young who is a Decarbonisation Consultant joins us to discuss how sustainable energy, climate change and how golf id working towards a greener future.

This week we are joined by Nick O'Loughlin who creates golf content online but is most recently knows for appearing on RTE's The Traitors. We discuss his love for golf and what is like being on a hit tv show.

This week #GolfLikeMe advocate Majella Moynihan joins me to discuss getting into golf later in life and balancing a golf mad family. Then Dundalk golf club captain, Gerry McDermott joins to discuss the club turning 120 and naming the 18th after an all time great. He also discusses Caolan Rafferty making history and the club hosting the All Ireland finals in Fourballs and Foursomes this weekend.

This week I am joined by South Of Ireland winner Jonathan Keane to discuss his amazing win at Lahinch.We also check in with his prep for the North Of Ireland Championship which is underway currently and I ask him how it felt to be awarded 'Dog Of The Year' by golf journalist Dan Rapaport.

Valerie chats to father and son duo Len and Callum Hall, who stole the hearts of the nation after their joyous celebrations by the 18th green at the K Club on Sunday went viral.

This week Irish professional Robert Moran joined the podcast to chat about his strong finish at the Irish Challenge last month and to look ahead to this week's Amgen Irish Open at the K Club, where he will tee it up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.

This week Enda Daly joins the podcast to discuss how playing county football helped his golf and the amazing talent at Roscommon golf club right now.He also discusses the Barton Shield and Men's Senior Cup.

This week #GolfLikeMe advocate Tara Kirwan joins the pod to discuss her journey with golf.Then chair of marketing at Rosslare golf club, Richard Kennedy joins us to chat about the recent investment in the club and course and the excitement of hosting this weeks Irish Mid-Amateur Men's and Women's Open Championship.

This week ahead of the AIG Irish Men's Close Championship at Westport golf club, we are joined by Paul O'Neill who is the Golf Operations and Sales Manager at Westport to discuss his incredible passion for golf and his excitement for this weeks event. We also recall the historic event 20 years ago where Rory McIlroy won the event.

This week Peter Hickey joins us to discuss the Boys and Girls Home Internationals which took place at Cork Golf Club.We also chat about Peters milestone this year whoch is 30 years at Cork Golf club and how coaching has evolved over the years.

Ardee Lady Captain and Club Children's Officer, Joanne joins the Podcast to discuss her path to captain and how she's enjoying the journey. We also preview the AIG Irish Women’s & Girls' Amateur Close Championship and the G4D event taking place.

With the South Of Ireland Championship happening this week we are joined by the Captain of Lahinch golf club, Martin O'Sullivan.We discuss his journey from IRFU president to captain of Lahinch, how the course is looking ahead of the championship and what the championship means historically and to the town of Lahinch.

This week Sam Power who is the Development and Participation Officer at Golf Ireland joins me to discuss the Open. Sam discusses the Road to the Open and several great initiatives that have been launched this year.

This week the chairman of the EGAs Championship Committee, Yves Hofstetter joins me to discuss the ongoing Team Amateur Championships. We discuss Killarney and the logistics of hosting 5 tournaments in 5 countries all at once. Yves also played in this exact competition at Killarney 50 years ago.

This week Eimear McManus joins us to discuss the upcoming KPMG Irish Women's Open. We discuss all the Irish golfers in the field and the preparation that goes into an event like this.

This week the Vagliano GB&I captain, Maria Dunne joins us to discuss the upcoming event and then we are joined by Prof Simon Shibli and Tracy Bunyan to discuss a fascinating study which is being released today.

This week Headfort course director Orla Foley joins us to discuss this weekends Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open. Orla is also taking part in the event.We also discuss Stephens half marathon and his medal, which turns out is hard to take off.

This week Conor Dunne joins us to talk about his recent play at the ISPA Handa Irish Open for Golfers with a disability at Roganstown.We also discuss his relationship with his father, his idols growing up and his impressive All Ireland win in the Irish Special Olympics.

This week we are joined by East Of Ireland winner David Howard to discuss his impressive win and his diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.We are also joined by golf coach and G4D committee member Ian Stafford to discuss coaching and the ever growing work of G4D.

This week we are joined by defending East Of Ireland champion Caolan Rafferty to discuss him becoming a father and his amazing record at Baltray.ALso joining us is Hannah Burke to discuss her drive for the Connacht title and her studies with the psychology of golf.

Its Volunteers week at Golf Ireland and to celebrate the new Volunteer Framework, we have two great examples of volunteers who are at the heartbeat of Golf Ireland. The Volunteer Framework is designed to enhance support, recognition, and development opportunities for its community of over 400 dedicated volunteers across the island of Ireland.  If you are interested then please visit www.golfireland.ie/volunteers.

This week we are joined by Flogas Irish mens Amateur Open winner Stuart Grehan. We discuss his impressive win and his upcoming season.Then we are joined by Corrstown Ladies Captain, Bernadette Ui Obain to discuss her path from a Get Into Golf member in 2016 to now Ladies Captain of a golf club.

This week we are previewing the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship which is taking place at Seapoint Golf Links for the first time.We chat to Dylan Keating who is in the field this week and then Seapoint Managing Director, Andrew Phelan on how much this occasion means to the club.

This week LET Tour Player, Lauren Walsh joj s to discuss her great start to the season and the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme.Then John Doyle joins us to discuss his amazing win in Cork at the Flogas Irish Boys Amateur Championship.

This week we are joined by Peter Loughnane who is the GM of Cork Golf Club. We discuss the clubs history and the amazing events they are hosting this year. Valerie and Peter then discuss Hurling, which Stephen respectfully sits out. :)

Michael Burns join us this week on the Podcast. Michael was team captain when both Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry played on junior teams together. He helps us recap the Masters and look ahead to the West of Ireland championship.

This week Nathan Murphy from Off The Ball joins us to talk about everyone's favourite week, Masters Week. We chat about his trip to Augusta and who he thinks will win this week.

Season 3 is here and we are delighted to be back. This week we have Golf Ireland's Championships & Rules Director, Mark Wehrly to discuss some new changes in the World Handicap System and what events he is most looking forward to this upcoming season.

This week Fiona Scott who is the Chair of the Development and Support Committee and also a Golf Ireland Board Member. Fiona joins me to discuss the Golf Ireland Volunteer of the year awards. The Golf Ireland Club Volunteer Awards acknowledge the selfless work being done at the grassroots level to make golf a more accessible and progressive sport for all. This year, the categories include Junior Development, Level Par (for advancing women’s participation), Disability and Inclusion, Sustainability, and Excellence in Service.  Nominations close on Monday, 19 November 2024.

This week former pro golfer, Danielle McVeigh joins the podcast. We discuss her elite amateur career, her joining the pro ranks only for her to realize it was not the path for her and her battle with depression at the time. We finish by looking at her current life which is busy with kids, work and still plenty of golf.

This week we are joined by Golf and Fitness online coach, Kerry Maher. We discuss her relationship with golf and her love for fitness.

This week #GolfLikeMe advocate Lynette Moore joins us to talk about moving from Zambia to Ireland 30 years ago and how golf helped her make friends and adjust to life in Ireland. She also discusses becoming the lady captain of Hermitage golf club and becoming the first lady of colour to be captain of a golf club in Ireland too.

This week, Muireann O’Connell, Kayleigh Trappe and Ailbhe Garrihy join the Pod to discuss their incredible experience participating in the First tee this year. They discuss the nerves, excitement and the overall process as it all lead up to the first tee shot in Carton House. A very relatable discussion for all golfers.

This week Amy O'Donnell joined us on the pod. Amy is a nutritionist who works on the LET. Amy was also working the recent Curtis Cup and will be travelling to the Solheim Cup soon. This was a fascinating discussion about fuelling the best golfers in the world.

This week Ilona Madden joins us to discuss her love for golf and nutrition. Ilona also discusses her recent decision to join the committee of her local golf club and the barriers for women who want to do something similar and the challenges that Ilona faced.

This week we chat with Galway Golfer, Liam Nolan. We discuss his recent decision to go pro and look back at what has been an incredible amateur career.

This week we are joined by Dun Laoghaire Captain Tom Byrne ahead of this weekends AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship. Tom discusses the history of the club and the many services it provides along with previewing an exceptional weekend of golf ahead.

This week we are joined by Roscommon golfer, Thomas Higgins. Thomas is currently playing at the Home Internationals for Ireland and we pick his brain on his preparation and mindset. We also discuss his college career so far and growing up playing golf in Roscommon.

This week Conor Moore aka Conor Sketches joins the podcast to discuss how he started his career and his love for golf. He then discusses his lessons with Padraig Harrington and the upcoming Mullingar Scratch Cup.

This week John Gleeson joins the Pod to discuss Lahinch golf club and the many amazing events that the club is hosting this year and a look ahead to the Walker Cup in 2026. We also look at the South Of Ireland Amateur Championship which is currently taking place at Lahinch.

This week we are joined by Hughes Norton who is known mostly for being the former agent to Tiger Woods and Greg Norman. We dive into his career, getting fired by Tiger, the modern golf landscape with LIV and the PGA tour. We also tell great stories from his new book "Rainmaker" and check out our socials for a chance to win one of two copies.

This week we are joined by Yoga and Golf enthusiast, Adriana O'Riordan. Adriana discusses her love for yoga and how it can be such a helpful tool for golfers who struggle with injuries and flexibility.

This week we are joined by recent R&A Amateur champion, Melanie Green. We discuss her amazing win at Portmarnock, her mental strength and look ahead to the upcoming Arnold Palmer Cup which takes place at Lahinch this weekend.

This week we are joined by Deborah Madden who is the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion manager at Golf Ireland. Deborah gives us an insight into the progress made over the last few years and some of the exciting initiatives on Golf Irelands roadmap for the coming months and years that will make Golf a more inclusive sport.

This week we are joined by Stuart Wilson to discuss his stellar amateur career. Stuart won the amateur championship in 2004 and played in two British Opens. He also captained a junior Ryder Cup team as well as a Walker cup team. He then describes the challenge golfers are facing this week in Ballyliffen.

This week we are joined by Judithe Allen. Judithe is a golfer who at the age of 25 was diagnosed with Breast cancer. She talks about her journey including a double mastectomy, her family history with cancer and the passing of her mother. A powerful story and we thank Judithe for her time.